Potato Chip Math is the brand name of Author Andrew Butters, writer and creator. That’s me! It should be stated up front that I oppose every aspect of GenAI and do not use it in any part of my process or in the production of my work.
I usually say my first published work was Losing Vern as part of the Orange Karen: A Tribute to a Warrior anthology. In reality, it was a 500-word anecdote about the time I lit myself on fire in the third installment of the Darwin Awards books, and was the catalyst for writing Near Death by a Thousand Cuts: A Humorous Memoir of Misfortune.
Not all my distinctions are as dubious as appearing in a Darwin Awards book. I took part in a trick on stage with Penn & Teller and appeared on the Super Dave Osborne Show. How about scoring a game-winning goal at Maple Leaf Gardens and “selling” music to filmmaker Kevin Smith? Yup, I did both. My silent presence also graced a three-second TV commercial. And don’t forget when I appeared as a fighting, unhoused man in a hip-hop video.
With several books in print, I have shown talent across multiple genres, including heartwarming and hilarious nonfiction, dystopian soft sci-fi, and a mind-bending psychological thriller.
I write, create, eat snacks, blog, toil over his next book, create videos, enjoy golf, baseball, science, EQUALITY, the Oxford comma, and sometimes let my love of attention override common sense. You can find evidence of this pretty much anywhere you can find me.
For the family blog about our daughter’s scoliosis diagnosis, spinal fusion surgery, and recovery, please visit BENT BUT NOT BROKEN.
Why Potato Chip Math?
I get a lot of people asking, “Why did you name your blog Potato Chip Math?” which happens to be a perfectly legitimate question. So, seeing as most people have not been reading since the beginning; here are a couple of options for your convenience:
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- You can read the original post; or
- You can keep reading and get the Cole’s Notes version below.
To practice summing it the hell up for a change, here’s what you need to know:
As the line in the Barenaked Ladies song One Week goes, “I’m all about value.” I don’t like paying more than I need to for things. At the same time, I will pay for pretty much anything if I find value in it. Never was this highlighted more than when I was shopping one day and stumbled upon some discount potato chips. The chips provided me with an opportunity for great value as they were WAY cheaper than the brand I had come to love. So, were they of great value?
No, they were not.
In this, I learned a valuable lesson. As is often the case, you do get what you pay for.
Territory Acknowledgement
In response to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it is important for Andrew to acknowledge that he currently lives on the traditional territory of the Mi’kma’ki people. Specifically, his home is situated on land promised to the Six Nations as part of the Peace and Friendship Treaties (1725-1779). He will work toward building stronger relationships with the First Peoples of Canada, and specifically those displaced by colonialism in the region he now calls home.
A Note About AI
As far as the creative realm is concerned, AI can get bent, along with anyone who uses it for creative purposes. My work, in any form, cannot be used to train or be part of any AI system. Period. Full stop. Leave art for humans.
P.S.
Reading this blog is free. It costs you a little bit of time, and I am genuine when I say that I hope no one feels like I ripped them off. If you feel ripped off, then I have only one thing to say: “Tough beans, there are NO REFUNDS!”
Bio photo by Philip Boudreau
Logo by leslieantoine19 on Fiverr with updates by my superstar designer, Linda Ryan.